Jammu, Feb 11:
Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today inaugurated a landmark Three-day Agriculture Summit and Kisan Mela at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu. Under the overarching theme of ‘AI-Powered Advanced Agriculture,’ the LG outlined a roadmap to transform the Union Territory into an ‘Aatma-Nirbhar’ (self-reliant) agricultural hub.
In his keynote address, LG Sinha described agriculture and allied sectors as the “ultimate insurance policy” for any developing nation, emphasizing that a strong agricultural foundation is the bedrock of national resilience and human prosperity.
Revolutionizing the Fields: AI and ‘Digital Twins’
The Lieutenant Governor called for a technological overhaul of traditional farming, directing SKUAST experts and officials to prioritize affordable high-impact solutions for small and marginal farmers.
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Digital Farm Twins: LG Sinha directed the deployment of IoT sensors and satellite imagery to create virtual replicas of farms. This technology will enable precision irrigation, potentially slashing water usage by 50–60%.
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Yield & Cost Optimization: The LG urged the development of AI tools designed to boost yields by 15–30% and cut input costs by half by providing real-time data on soil health and nutrients.
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Strategic Planning: The administration aims to make predictive tools accessible so farmers can plan crops based on weather and soil analytics.
Sustainable Solutions: Circular Farming & Seed Banks
Emphasizing environmental and economic sustainability, the LG proposed a shift toward a circular economy within the farm.
“We must create circular farming models where crop waste becomes high-protein animal feed and manure returns as organic fertilizer. This eliminates the need for external inputs and boosts soil health on-site,” LG Sinha stated.
Key Administrative Directives:
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Village-Level Seed Banks: Establish banks stocked with climate-resilient local varieties to ensure seed sovereignty.
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Processing Infrastructure: Build processing facilities in all 20 districts of J&K to increase the shelf-life and value of produce.
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Direct Market Linkages: Connect Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) directly to consumers to eliminate middlemen and capture higher margins for farmers.
New Facilities and Recognitions
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor launched and inaugurated several key initiatives:
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Crop Cultivation Scheme: Launched under the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare).
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Bayer Learning Centre: A new hub for advanced agricultural innovation.
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Infrastructure Growth: Inaugurated a Branding Centre and a Pesticide Quality Control Laboratory.
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AgriThon 2.0: Felicitated the winners of the Startup First awards, encouraging young entrepreneurs to enter the agri-tech space.
Safeguarding Farmers’ Interests
Addressing concerns regarding international trade, the LG reassured the farming community that the Government of India remains resolved to safeguarding their interests. He highlighted that robust safeguards are in place to ensure local production remains unharmed by global trade agreements.
The ceremony was attended by Shri Javid Ahmad Dar (Minister for Agriculture Production), Shri Atal Dullo (Chief Secretary), and Prof. B. N. Tripathi (Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu), along with a large gathering of scientists and progressive farmers.
